Anderson shrugs off misses

For Spurs rookies Kawhi Leonard and Cory Joseph, Saturday’s preseason loss in Houston marked the start of what they each hope will be a long NBA career.

For second-year guard James Anderson, who only feels like a rookie, it marked a second chance to make a first impression.

“Ever since last year, I’ve been ready to suit back up,” said Anderson, who appeared in just 26 games while dealing with a host of injuries last season. “Even at practice, I’ve been working hard and trying to get back in a rhythm with the guys.”

The start of a rookie do-over didn’t quite go as planned for Anderson, the 6-foot-6 former Big 12 Player of the Year at Oklahoma State.

Labeled by point guard Tony Parker as the surprise of training camp so far, and saddled with high expectations from Spurs coaches, Anderson missed eight of nine shots in the preseason opener — including all four from 3-point range.

Anderson’s woes even spread to the foul line, where he missed four of six tries.

Anderson was able to shrug off his many misses.

“I missed some shots,” said Anderson, who made 18 of 46 3-pointers in limited action as a rookie. “That’s going to happen.”

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich liked what he saw from the 22-year-old sharpshooter.

“He couldn’t get it in the hole,” Popovich said, “but he was aggressive.”

CLASS IN SESSION: Thanks to the lockout, Joseph was unable to work out with Spurs coaches for five months after the team selected him 29th in the June draft. The 20-year-old point guard from Texas had to seek out workouts elsewhere, splitting his time between his alma mater and John Lucas’ gym in Houston.

At UT, Joseph’s workout partners included pros such as Kevin Durant and T.J. Ford, soon to be his Spurs teammate, as well as fellow rookie-to-be Tristan Thompson.

Joseph said he got the most out of his work with Lucas, the former NBA point guard and Spurs coach.

“He was a great point guard back in the day,” Joseph said. “He taught me a lot — coming off screens, decision-making, a whole bunch. Just the pace of the NBA game, as a point guard.”

OPEN SCRIMMAGE: The Spurs will hold their annual open scrimmage tonight at the AT&T Center. Tipoff is at 7, and admission is free.

It will mark the Spurs’ first return to their building since Gary Neal’s buzzer-beater helped lead to an overtime victory over Memphis in Game 5 of the playoffs in April.

Manu Ginobili said he hopes fans will embrace the team after the ugliness of the lockout.

“I know in this city, they’re going to stick with us, and we’re going to do whatever it takes to make them feel proud of us again,” Ginobili said. “We let them down for a couple months, but hopefully we earn their confidence and their business again.”